Tamil Nadu - Nagercoil   

“Make sea shell collection a cottage industry”

Nagercoil: The Federation of Seashell Collectors will organise the third district-level conference here on Friday to mount pressure on the Government to find out an early solution to their multiple point charter of demands, including the constitution of a welfare board.

The seashell collectors, affected by the tsunami, living in more than 14 villages in the district have appealed the Government to ensure their welfare similar to the help extended to the fishermen community.

There are 2,996 people living in 14 hamlets, including Michiyaanvilai, Agastheeswaram, Thamaraiputhur, Puthukudiyruppu, Sethupathiyur, Kovilvilai, Kattukadai and so on, who were running 59-limestone chulai in different parts of the district. Even though they were affected indirectly by the tsunami, they were yet to be given compensation.

Hence they have urged the Government to include the seashell activity in the Government schedule of cottage industry and to amend 1972 Marine Animals Protection Act so that they could get all the benefits announced by the Government on a par with the fishermen community.

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“Make sea shell collection a cottage industry”

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